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Greek Orthodox Catechism
Constantine Callinicos, London, 1926
Part III. Ceremonial, 40. The Leaders of Public Worship
Who are the leading persons in public worship?
The Bishops, Priests and Deacons, generally called the Clergy, for they have chosen as their lot in life (in Gr. kleros) to serve God and pray to Him on behalf of their flock.
And how are the Bishops, Priests and Deacons distinguished from each other in public worship?
By the difference in their vestments: The Deacon, when officiating, wears a long robe, similar to the alb, which is called Sticharion, throws over his shoulders a sort of stole named Orarion, and puts the Cuffs on his wrists. The Priest, when officiating, dresses himself in the Sticharion, hangs round his neck the priest’s stole or Epitrachilion, and wears the Girdle, the Cuffs and the Chasuble. The Bishop, when officiating, dresses himself with the Sticharion, the Epitrachilion, the Girdle, the Cuffs, the Epigonation, the Dalmatic and the Pallium; he hangs round his neck the Pectoral Cross and the Eucolpion, while on his head he wears the Mitre, and in his right hand holds the Pastoral Staff. The higher, therefore, the rank of a clergyman, the more vestments and decorations he wears; the lower it is, the fewer he wears,
Are these the only acting persons in public worship?
No; near them we should place the chanters with their assistants and choir-boys, who lead the singing, as being more fully trained. We ought perhaps to mention also the sacristans, who supervise the cleanliness of the Church, and the door-keepers, who, somewhat corresponding to the ancient sub-deacons, supervise the congregation and keep order in public worship.
Does not the whole of the laity take part in public worship?
Yes, it does, and should take part, not only by standing reverently and following in spirit what is being done, but by joining in also and softly singing in Divine Service, thus to show that it is a living member of the body of the Church. The “Kyrie eleison,” the “Grant us, O Lord,” the “Amen,” the “Alleluia,” the antiphonal singing of Psalms, and many other parts of the Services belong, according to the precise rules of our Prayer Book, to the laity. And this must not be forgotten.